Two more applicants for Florida education commissioner

With the deadline still a month off, the search for a new Florida education commissioner continues to draw a handful of interested applicants.

Few if any appear to meet the State Board of Education's stated goal of hiring a high profile educator with a strong track record of successfully implementing education reforms along the line of the state's current trajectory. Representatives of the Ray & Associates search firm have advised the board that the top candidates might wait until the last minute to submit formal applications, because of Florida's open records rules that would let anyone know they are in the mix.

But as happened a year ago, the state already has extended its search after its first deadline came and went without interest from those high flying reformers.

This week, the Department of Education released another two applications for the job, bringing the total to 36. They are the superintendent of a small Illinois district with five schools, and the principal of a Maryland middle school of 484 students.

Still nothing from interim commissioner Pam Stewart, who's been appearing regularly with Gov. Rick Scott as he talks education around the state. Some have also suggested that more interest might come after the Nov. 6 election, when it becomes who's in charge at the state and national level, possibly freeing up some talent.

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.